Joe Maisano
Organiser
Recently it was brought to my attention that the inadequacies of the station cleaning in Metro have spread even further. Station staff at many stations across the network were being left with no choice but to clean the inside of the stations themselves. If staff did not clean inside the stations, they would be working in disgusting conditions until the cleaners finally arrived.
It became clear that the cleaners were not attending each station often enough and so we decided to put this in dispute under the pretence that cleaning the stations is not part of the station staff’s PDs.
I am pleased to report that the professional cleaners are now cleaning inside the station more often which means that station staff are no longer forced to do it or work in an unclean environment.
This is a great win for members and if there is anyone who continues to have these issues at their station, please call me ASAP on 0421 122 437.
We have also written a letter to Nicholas Sleigh, General Manager Station Operations raising concerns about a number of issues that were brought up through the RTBU Safety meetings that occurred in July, August and September of this year.
Some of the concerns raised with Nick Sleigh were:
- Station Staff staying back on late shifts after PSOs have left premises after last train: This issue relates mainly to stations that close-up with one staff member working on their own at smaller sized Premium stations without Control desk facilities, examples include Boronia and Coburg among others.
- Two-up staffing of station barrier arrays: Station staff continue to report issues at barrier arrays across the network and the issue of staff assaults both physical and verbal.
- Short Shunts: Station staff at a number of stations have reported a number of unsafe scenarios due to short shunting of trains, and station staff on their own assisting with detraining passengers, who often are aggressive and angry about their service being terminated or delayed.
- C.A.N. Notices: Station staff reported a number of safety issues relating to the issuing of CAN notices. This is especially the case for sustained long periods and during the night often having to give them to the driver after walking through subways on their own.
- Station safety signage: At a number of stations, members have requested that signage be provided in booking offices and public display areas around the issue of “Not verbally abusing or threatening station staff”. Some of these posters and signs maybe station specific, but this issue needs to be addressed as we come into peak school holidays and the Xmas/New year period.
We are currently awaiting a response from Nick Sleigh and will update members when we have further information.